Jimmy Kimmel gives update on baby son's health

goss
10/05/2017

Jimmy Kimmel had his first show back from paternity leave in which he fired shots at Republican politicians' stance on the US healthcare system.

Kimmel, who welcomed his second child with wife Molly McNearney in April, spoke emotionally on air a week ago about the open heart surgery baby William John "Billy" Kimmel had to have at three days old.

On Monday night (local time), Kimmel spoke about the online impact of that video, and questioned why it didn't appeal to the politicians and media who had watched it.

"One week ago tonight, I made an emotional speech - that was seen by millions - and as a result of my powerful words, Republicans in Congress had second thoughts about repeal and replace, they realized that what is right is right - and I saved health insurance in America!" Kimmel, 49, said during Monday's opening monologue.

"Oh, I didn't? They voted against it anyway? I really need to pay more attention to the news."

While Kimmel was away from hosting his late-night chat show, House Republicans voted to repeal Obamacare; sealing a seven-year campaign promise which would dramatically reduce the number of Americans with health insurance.

On Monday's show Kimmel paid out the media coverage of several outlets while he was off air, including a New York Post article entitled 'Jimmy Kimmel's obscene lies about medical care'.

But Kimmel also made mention of some negative comments he received from politicians, including former Republican Speaker of the House, Newt Gingrich.

During an interview with Fox News on Sunday, Mr Gingrich said that hospitals would never turn away a sick baby in an emergency.

Kimmel fired back, saying, "Yes, it is true that if you have an emergency they will do an operation, and that's terrific if your baby's health problems are all solved during that one visit. The only problem is that never, ever happens."

He continued, "We've had a dozen doctor's appointments since our son had surgery. You have a cardiologist, a paediatrician, the surgeons, some kids need an ambulance to transport them and that doesn't even count parents who have to miss work for all this stuff."